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Wisconsin payroll tax and registration guide

  • Updated

Why is this important?

To maintain compliance with state payroll tax regulations, you must provide the following information before you can use OnPay to run payroll:

  • State Employer Identification Number and state/local tax IDs
  • Tax rates - State tax offices set these rates based on the type, age, and size of your business
  • TPA and power of attorney - Most tax offices require this before we can submit quarterly wage reports and deposits on your behalf

This information must be provided and maintained by you in order for OnPay to accurately file and deposit tax payments for your company. OnPay is not responsible for any penalties or interest that incur due to missing or incorrect company tax information.

Each state has its own requirements, so if you pay employees in more than one state, you’ll find separate tax guides for each state.

Let Middesk handle your state tax registrations

Want help registering your business with state agencies? We've partnered with Middesk to make it simple for you to stay compliant in your state — and every state — when hiring employees.

  • Register with state agencies and get the tax IDs you need within minutes
  • Manage all your government accounts in one place using Middesk's intuitive platform
  • Stay compliant by managing agency mail and notices from your Middesk dashboard
  • Foreign Qualify with the Secretary of State to create payroll tax accounts 

Learn more about Middesk

 

See what information you need to provide OnPay, and what taxes and filings OnPay handles for Wisconsin Employers.

  • Information OnPay needs from you

    Use this checklist to make sure you’ve covered everything required to set up your account as a Wisconsin employer, so OnPay can accurately file and pay taxes on your behalf:

    All Wisconsin employers What is this?
    Make sure your business is registered with the Wisconsin Department of Revenue

    Allows your business to file and pay taxes in Wisconsin
    More info >
    Make sure your business is registered with the Wisconsin Department of Labor

    Allows your business to pay required unemployment insurance in Wisconsin
    More info >
    Provide OnPay with your Wisconsin Tax ID and Deposit frequency

    The employer identification number is issued by the Wisconsin Department of Revenue
    More info >
    Provide OnPay with your Wisconsin Unemployment ID

    A 10-digit number unique to your account with the Wisconsin Department of Labor
    More info >
    Provide OnPay with your Wisconsin Unemployment (SUI) Rate

    A tax rate you receive annually from the Wisconsin Department of Labor
    More info >

  • Taxes and filings OnPay handles for Wisconsin Employers

    Withholding Tax

    Form WT-6 (Filing)

    Wisconsin Withholding Deposit Report

    - Semi-Monthly, Monthly, Quarterly

    Form WT-7 (Filing)

    Annual Reconciliation

    - Annual

    WT (Filing)

    Transmittal for Paper Forms W-2

    - Annual

    State W-2 (Filing)

    Wage and Tax Statement

    - Quarterly

    Unemployment Insurance Tax

    Form UCT-101-E (Filing)

    Quarterly Contribution Report

    - Quarterly
    Form UC-7823-E (Filing)

    Quarterly Wage Report

    		 - Quarterly

    Other

    New Hire Report

    Wisconsin Report of New Hires

    - As required

Where you can find the tax account numbers you need

If you are an existing employer who has previously run payroll in the state of Wisconsin, you likely already have the IDs and online accounts needed for OnPay to process your tax filings. 

If you are a new employer in Wisconsin, you will need to register your business with the Wisconsin Department of Revenue and Wisconsin Department of Labor. This must be completed for OnPay to be able to file and pay your Wisconsin taxes.

 

Withholding Tax Account Number

Existing Wisconsin Employer: 

You can find your Withholding Tax Account Number on notices received from the Wisconsin Department of Revenue. If you cannot locate this document or account number, please call the Wisconsin Department of Revenue at (608) 266-2776 to request it.

New Wisconsin Employer: Register with the Wisconsin Department of Revenue 

  • Visit the One Stop Business portal and click Start Your Business
  • Complete their survey to determine the best way to register your business
  • You will be able to register for both Wisconsin Withholding and Unemployment Taxes

 

Unemployment Account Number and Tax Rate

Updated January 1, 2025

Existing Wisconsin Employer:

  • You can find your Unemployment ID on the annual Tax Rate Notice you received from the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development (Show me→)
  • Your Unemployment Tax Rate can also be found on the annual Tax Rate Notice
  • Your rate will be in the range of 0% to 12% with a wage base of $14,000
  • Those in the construction industry or with an annual payroll over $500,000 should refer to the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development's Unemployment Insurance Tax Rates page
  • If you're unsure of your rate, call the Department of Workforce Development at 1-(414)-438-5395

New Wisconsin Employer: Register with the Wisconsin Department of Labor

 

Paying employees in other states?

If you operate in multiple states or just have employees working from home across a state line, it's important to file the correct state forms for those workers. See what forms we file in the states where you pay employees.

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